I am the Bread of Life
Text: John 6:31-71 (KJV) 31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48I am that bread of life. 49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
John 6:31-71 (AMP) 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread.
33For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world. 34Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always (all the time)! 35Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time). 36But [as] I told you, although you have seen Me, still you do not believe and trust and have faith. 37All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me. 39And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. 40For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day. 41Now the Jews murmured and found fault with and grumbled about Jesus because He said, I am [Myself] the Bread that came down from heaven. 42They kept asking, Is not this Jesus, the Son of Joseph, Whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, I have come down from heaven? 43So Jesus answered them, Stop grumbling and saying things against Me to one another. 44No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day. 45It is written in [the book of] the Prophets, And they shall all be taught of God [have Him in person for their Teacher]. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me-- 46Which does not imply that anyone has seen the Father [not that anyone has ever seen Him] except He [Who was with the Father] Who comes from God; He [alone] has seen the Father. 47I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me] has (now possesses) eternal life. 48I am the Bread of Life [that gives life--the Living Bread]. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and [yet] they died. 50[But] this is the Bread that comes down from heaven, so that [any]one may eat of it and never die. 51I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body). 52Then the Jews angrily contended with one another, saying, How is He able to give us His flesh to eat? 53And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood]. 54He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has (possesses now) eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day. 55For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink. 56He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him. 57Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me. 58This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever.
59He said these things in a synagogue while He was teaching at Capernaum. 60When His disciples heard this, many of them said, This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message). Who can stand to hear it? [Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?] 61But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining and protesting and grumbling about it, said to them: Is this a stumbling block and an offense to you? [Does this upset and displease and shock and scandalize you?] 62What then [will be your reaction] if you should see the Son of Man ascending to [the place] where He was before? 63It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. 64But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him. 65And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father. 66After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him. 67Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] 68Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. 69And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And [yet] one of you is a devil (of the evil one and a false accuser). 71He was speaking of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he was about to betray Him, [although] he was one of the Twelve.
John 6:31-71 (NASB) 31"(Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ’HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’" 32Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33"For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." 34Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread." 35Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36"But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39"This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." 4Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, "I am the bread that came down out of heaven." 42They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother (we know? How does He now say, ’I have come down out of heaven’?" 43Jesus answered and said to them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. 44"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45"It is written in the prophets, ’AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. 46"Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48"I am the bread of life. 49 "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50"This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51"I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh." 52Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" 53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55"For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58"This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever." 59These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62"What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.
65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." 66As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69"We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 70Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" 71Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.
Introduction: This is the first of seven “I AM” statements Jesus spoke in the Gospel of John. Jesus was teaching that He is whatever we need Him to be.
1. I am the Bread of Life. John 6:35 reads, (KJV) “35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (AMP) “35Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).” If you are spiritually hungry, Jesus is your sustenance. As bread provides physical nourishment, so Jesus provides substance to our spiritual life.
2. I am the light of the world. John 8:12 declares, (KJV) “12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (AMP) “12Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.” If you are in the dark, Jesus will illuminate your life. He helps me to discover what I should be doing with my life — as well as what I should NOT be doing with my life!
3. I am the door. John 10:7 reads, (KJV) “7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.” (AMP) “7So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.” If you feel trapped, Jesus is the way out!
4. I am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 says, (KJV) “11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (AMP) “11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” If you cannot find your way, Jesus will lead you and care for you.
5. I am the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25 says, (KJV) “25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (AMP) “25Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live.” If you are dead in sin, Jesus will give you life. He gives me the assurance that I shall spend all of eternity within his loving care!
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6 reads, (KJV) “6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (AMP) “6Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” If your life lacks meaning, Jesus is the purpose for living. No longer is there a lack of purpose in living. Where am I going with my life? What is the basis of my life?
7. I am the true vine. John 15:1 reads, (KJV) “1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” (AMP) 1I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.” If you life is empty, Jesus will make your life fruitful.
During the days when Christ was on earth, bread was an essential commodity in a person’s diet. It was the principle food of people. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our DAILY bread.” Genesis 3:19 is the first mention of “bread,” in scripture. Here it is used as a term for food in general.
The bread that was used was not a loaf of sliced bread, but like a thin cake, much similar to our pilot bread. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says, “It was customary to take a piece of such bread and fold it over at the end held in the hand so as to make a sort of spoon of it, which then is eaten along with whatever is lifted by it out of the common dish.
Jesus used everyday commodities of life to teach great spiritual truths—
• Salt
• Coins/money
• Seed
• Candles/candlesticks
• Leaven
• A fig tree
• Stones/rocks
• Sheep
• Birds
• Lilies
• Wells of water
• Garments
• Wine skins
• Wheat and tares
• Wine, etc.
Here in John 6:35, Jesus used this indispensable commodity of bread to teach a tremendous spiritual truth.
The problem was, people often failed to make the spiritual connection in the object lesson Jesus sought to teach. People’s minds were on the physical instead of the spiritual. Such is the case in our text. (Vs. 26-35) Jesus places the emphasis on the spiritual over the physical. Is that where the emphasis is in your life?
I. The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. (Vs. 1-14) Jesus statement concerning “the bread of life” was prefaced by the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. When Jesus compared Himself to bread, He must have had the entire bread making process in mind.
A. Bruised.
1. Isaiah 28:28 says, (KJV) “28Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.” (AMP) “28Does one crush bread grain? No, he does not thresh it continuously. But when he has driven his cartwheel and his horses over it, he scatters it [tossing it up to the wind] without having crushed it.”
2. Before the grain could give nourishment it had to be crushed under the millstone.
a. Isaiah 53:5 reads, (KJV) “5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (AMP) “5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.”
B. Baked
1. Leviticus 2:4 reads, (KJV) “4And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.” (AMP) “4When you bring as an offering cereal baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers spread with oil.”
2. Acts 2:27, 31 reads, (KJV) “27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” (AMP) “27For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]. 31He, foreseeing this, spoke [by foreknowledge] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah) that He was not deserted [in death] and left in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor did His body know decay or see destruction.”
C. Broken
1. 1st Corinthians 11:24 reads, (KJV) “24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (AMP) “24And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.”
2. John 12:24 reads, (KJV) “24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (AMP) “24I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.”
II. The Manna. (Vs. 31-35) Exodus 16:4, 13-21 reads, (KJV) “4Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 13And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. 16This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. 19And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 21And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.” (AMP) “4Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from the heavens for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 13In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay round about the camp. 14And when the dew had gone, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a fine, round and flakelike thing, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said one to another, Manna [What is it?]. For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. 16This is what the Lord has commanded: Let every man gather of it as much as he will need, an omer for each person, according to the number of your persons; take it, every man for those in his tent. 17The [people] did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to his need. 19Moses said, Let none of it be left until morning. 20But they did not listen to Moses; some of them left of it until morning, and it bred worms, became foul, and stank; and Moses was angry with them. 21They gathered it every morning, each as much as he needed, for when the sun became hot it melted.” A wonderful type of Jesus Christ. This was wilderness food to sustain God’s people on their way to the promised land. Jesus sustains us while we live in the wilderness of the world on our way to heaven.
A. Divine in its source-it came from heaven.
1. It came from Heaven. (Exodus 16:4) (Vs. 33, 51)
a. Jesus’ home was in heaven, but He came DOWN to meet our deepest need!
2. It came during the night—Jesus came from heaven when men were in darkness.
B. Small in its size (V. 31). Jesus-humanity.
1. Exodus 16:31 reads, (KJV) “31And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” (AMP) “31The house of Israel called the bread manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and it tasted like wafers made with honey.”
C. Round, in its shape (v. 31). Jesus-eternity.
D. White in it’s color (v. 31). Jesus purity (undefiled by the earth).
E. Sweet to the taste (v. 31). Jesus is sweet to all who trust Him.
F. Sufficient for all (v. 17).
1. Exodus 16:17 reads, (KJV) “17And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.” (AMP) “17The [people] did so, and gathered, some more, some less.”
G. Must be appropriated (v. 21 cf. John 6:51).
1. Exodus 16:21 says, (KJV) “21And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.” (AMP) “21They gathered it every morning, each as much as he needed, for when the sun became hot it melted.”
2. John 6:51 reads, (KJV) “51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (AMP) “51I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”
3. Bread cannot save from starvation unless it is eaten.
Illustration: During a fearful famine in India some years ago a missionary visiting around the villages met a boy who was nothing but skin and bones. He told him to go at once to the mission compound and ask for food. The boy pleaded that he would not be admitted to the compound unless he had some authorization. Therefore, the missionary, taking a slip of paper, addressed a note to the storekeeper and handed it to the boy, saying, “This is my promise of food for you.”
Several days later, the poor boy was found lying dead with the piece of paper perforated and tied around his neck. He had never acted upon the promise, nor appropriated what would have saved his life.
4. If it was not picked up, it was treaded upon. If you do not receive Christ, you reject Him and trodden Him under foot.
a. Hebrews 10:26-31 says, (KJV) “26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (AMP) “26For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward]. 27[There is nothing left for us then] but a kind of awful and fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment and the fury of burning wrath and indignation which will consume those who put themselves in opposition [to God]. 28Any person who has violated and [thus] rejected and set at naught the Law of Moses is put to death without pity or mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse (sterner and heavier) punishment do you suppose he will be judged to deserve who has spurned and [thus] trampled underfoot the Son of God, and who has considered the covenant blood by which he was consecrated common and unhallowed, thus profaning it and insulting and outraging the [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God)? 30For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people. 31It is a fearful (formidable and terrible) thing to incur the divine penalties and be cast into the hands of the living God!”
III. The Message (Vs. 47-68)
A. Living Bread (v. 51).
1. Mythology refers to the food of the gods called “ambrosia.” This food was supposed to confer immortality upon all who partook of it. What the heathen considered so needful is now offered to us in Christ—He is “the TRUE bread from heaven” (v. 32). He was born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread.”
B. What did Jesus mean in verses 53-56?
1. He was NOT referring to the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper had not even been instituted yet.
2. He was not speaking LITERALLY (cf. v. 63).
3. He was referring to believing His WORDS (v. 63 cf. vs. 67-68). Jesus and His Word are practically synonymous. Whatever the Bible says about Jesus, it says about itself.
• He is the Word made flesh.
• He is Holy…His Word is holy
• He is truth…His word is truth
• He is light…His Word gives light
• He is eternal…His Word is forever settled in Heaven
• He gives life…His Word gives life.
a. When I receive God’s Word into my heart, I receive Jesus Christ. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.”
Conclusion: A missionary was passing out Gospel of John’s in the Central provinces of India. One man took the Gospel of John and when he realized it was Christian literature, he tore it in pieces and threw them on the ground. In the providence of God, another man shortly came by that same place and picked up a piece of the torn paper to see what it was. He read words in his own language, “…the bread of life…” He did not know what it meant and asked some of his friends if they knew the meaning of this phrase. One told him, “I can tell you that these are words from the Christian Book. You must not read it or you will be defiled.” The man thought to himself, “A phrase as beautiful as this cannot defile.” He bought a copy of the New Testament and read it until he found the statement, “I am the bread of life.” As he read and studied the passage, the light of the God’s Word flooded his heart and he trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior. That same man became a preacher of the Gospel in the central provinces of India. That little piece of torn paper became the Bread of Life to him.
